Begging is a part of religious practices in Buddhism. It is called Fa-Yeng 化緣 in Buddhisms language, or transcending in English language(Not quite a good translation yet. Readers, if you are good both in Buddhism and in English, please help.). It is transcending for both the giver and the beggar. The givers are transcended because they get joy out of giving (Christians also say the same thing: To give is to get joy.) The beggar is also transcended because he helps the giver to get transcended. Buddhists' monks are required to beg to help other persons to transcend or to Fa-Yeng 化緣.
But Buddhism is only a small part of Taiwanese folk religion and begging is not usually a way of life of any dignified Taiwanese. However, on the birthday of the supreme god 天公 on Lunar Calendar January 9th 正月初九(It is actually February 3 in the international Calendar.), some Taiwanese do beg at the supreme god's 天公 temples and it is ok. The givers are usually the believers who are offering at the temple celebrating the god's 天公 birthday. Both the beggars and the givers believe that they are transcending each other on this special day. Because the economic hardship this year, there are more people to beg this year than those in previous years.
The photo shows the Kaoushung 高雄 citizens lined up to beg on Feb 3 at the supreme god's temple, 高雄玉皇宮. Photo is taken from http://www.ftv.com.tw/.
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